Filling the Crates with Local Record Stores

Words By: Matthew Spence

Before we recoup the benefits of dope stuff, there’s always a beginning. Gotta start from Point A to get to Point B-Z, 1/2/3. Genesis 1-2, God created light on the first day, so now you can use someone’s phone flashlight to find your phone under the couch. I spent 30 mins listening to MF DOOMs’ “Special Herbs” and playing along with my recorder, now I have the creative flow to write this article and figure out how to pronounce Cillian Murphys’ name (btw, I figured it out). One day, Henry Spiller (founder of the first known record store: Spiller Records), said: “Let’s build this yo” and now decades later, music collectors have fantasies of sleeping inside Amoeba Music.

Record stores are one of the few things from the 1800s that aren’t shitty. The home away from home for music lovers. The rendezvous point for beatmakers. Hideaway for music aficionados. Due to film and tv, a place you think is filled with stoners, burnouts, and hipsters.

Stepping foot into one sparks the beginning of a hobby that evokes joy, kicks your priorities ass, and drains your bank account more than Netflix subscriptions and child support. The end result: joy and less space in your bedroom. Whether you’re an avid collector or a casual “prefer to buy off of Amazon”, record stores bring together so many strangers under one roof to expand, explore, and grow and learn more about art. Picture school if it was more investing. Countless hours spent digging through crates of what feels like an endless selection (even though technically it isn’t), asking the employees/owner what song is playing over the speaker, listening to convos about music/culture that make you feel like you’re in an episode of High Fidelity, getting the final copy of a record that leaves you with a bittersweet feeling of: feeling bad for the next person searching for it but on the other hand ” <shrug shoulder> Oh well”. To put it shortly: They’re important. An integral part of a community that welcomes people with open arms to share the greatest thing the world has: music (and film/culture) and a bond.

Now the exact number of record stores in the USA is a bit inconsistent from what I gather, so let’s just play it safe and say there’s a shit ton in the US and across the globe. However, me being lucky enough to be surrounded by plenty, one random day, I decided to ask some local record stores around my way some questions about stuff and shit that I thought was neat. So I did. It was fun. You’ll read it in a few moments. I will stop typing so you can scroll down and read, starting noowwwwwwwwwwwww.

Redscroll Records (@redscroll)

Which movie represents Record stores better: High Fidelity or Empire Records?

High Fidelity by a mile. Empire is a heightened version for sure. Empire is closer to a chain store as well. High Fidelity (Championship Vinyl) is closer to an indie. High Fidelity is also an exaggerated idea of a store and it’s definitely a time capsule of the 90s’ version of it.

Neither of them is anything like Redscroll or most current-day stores. We are approachable and aren’t looking to be negative or gatekeep.

Which Band/Artist would you want to be the in-house band for the shop?

Considering we’re a label as well as a store the easiest thing to say is that we have a roster of in-house bands that we love.

You can check our latest releases out on Bandcamp and see our full roster on Discogs. We have some releases scheduled for 2024 right now (3 LPs) that are being sent off for production currently.

What are some Do’s & Don’t at a Record Store? Quick Tips for Record Shopping?

Answering both of these at once. Come into the shop with an open mind; be open to the music playing; be open to discovering some stuff you might not have had in mind before heading in. If you like to preview music, have your phone and earbuds/headphones with you – most everything is previewable on the world wide web (and we have a guest wi-fi available). Try to be mindful of other folks’ space and generally just try to live by the golden rule in (and, hey why not, out of) our shop (treat others as you wish they would treat you). One second to last thing: if you’re pulling records out and decide you don’t want any please just leave them out. We have people that can refile them and everything in the racks is in its precise place! We’re very organized! We like to stay that way and don’t mind refiling. And last thing: we’re here to help! We are here full time and know where everything is so don’t hesitate to ask us anything!

Describe the shop in 3 words.

Stocked. Organized. Tripendicular!

The Record Store is a safe haven and second home for music fans: when did it become one for you?

High School age. Discovering music. Discovering my people, basically.

What’s the record that got away? (A record till this day you haven’t gotten or took a very long time to get)

That’s not really a thing I hang onto. Try not to have that attitude in life about anything really. There’s so much cool stuff out there and so much of it I have or have let go and the fact that I may see it again is also cool, but I’m not tripping on it. I’m also fine with a good reissue rather than holding out for an original. So long as it sounds good I’m cool. More recorded music exists in the world already than any of us could listen to in a lifetime so no need to get hung up on something so small.

Any words for people who try to steal from record shops?

Don’t steal from small businesses, y’all. It’s not cool.

If the shop was a record label/magazine which one would it be? [Creem Magazine, Rough Trade, Sub Pop, SPIN, etc]

Redscroll Records is a label. We did a zine once too. It was called, “Welcome to Connecticut.” Maybe we should pick that backup?

With community being a major part of record stores, how do you feel you return the favor with the shop and give back to the loyal members?

We sponsor various events and fundraisers. We have in-store performances. We release local bands and generally support and promote the local music community in as many ways as we can. We keep the store constantly stocked with new music (actual new releases and new collections of secondhand music as well). I’m also sure there’s more, but that’s the general vibe. *Plus, they have a podcast where they interview and talk to local folks each month*. The Redscroll Podcast

-Rick Sinkiewicz (Co-Owner)

Retro Spin Shop (retrodiscogs)

Which movie represents Record stores better: High Fidelity or Empire Records?

High Fidelity

Which Band/Artist would you want to be the in-house band for the shop?

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. (Second would be “Southern Culture on the Skids”)

What are some Do’s & Don’t at a Record Store?

Do look around and Discover new finds – – Don’t Finger through a stack and leave it slouched forward. (Push back Records when done Skimming through)

Quick Tips for Record Shopping?

Always ask for your Holy Grail, Don’t be afraid to look outside your comfort zone, meaning other genres, plus it helps to bring your own bag (Recycle)

Describe the shop in 3 words.

Peace – Love – Vinyl

The Record Store is a safe haven and second home for music fans: when did it become one for you?

About a Month Ago, when I first Opened ! 🙂

What’s the record that got away? (A record till this day you haven’t gotten or took a very long time to get).

I wish SONY would release “Imperial Drag” on Vinyl for Record Store Day – Also I never had Billy Idol “CyberPunk “ on Vinyl – I wish they would release that one too.

Any words for people who try to steal from record shops?

Please don’t, I really feel bad for their KARMA

With vinyl seeing an increase over the past couple of years or so, do you hope other physical media sees a resurgence and why do you personally think vinyl is seeing a big resurgence versus CDS?

Vinyl has always been the Go to Media – FOR MANY…. MANY ….MANY …MANY YEARS !!! Release more 8 Tracks they are Fun!

You’re hosting a TedTalk on the importance of physical media: what are your opening and closing statements

Hey Boys and Girls, Let me show you something Cool……. I hope you learned something today and Remember – Stay Groovy

If the shop was a record label/magazine which one would it be? [Creem Magazine, Rough trade, Sub Pop, SPIN, etc]

RIP

With community being a major part of record stores, how do you feel you return the favor with the shop and give back to the loyal members?

I gave away a Really awesome Metallica magazine today for Free, It made me Happy, that my customer was grateful!

Stay Groovy,
Ronald Webb

Static Era Records (@staticearecords)

Which movie represents Record stores better: High Fidelity or Empire Records?

This is a great question, I can’t speak for other shops but Static Era is definitely more Empire Records than High Fidelity. Our store is welcoming, music is cranked, we will never judge a customer for their purchase and we are more “fun” than “serious”.

Which Band/Artist would you want to be the in-house band for the shop?

Deftones! They are one of my favorite bands and their catalog is varied enough, it wouldn’t get boring.

What are some Do’s & Don’t at a Record Store?

Speaking for Static Era, do have a good time; please talk to us, tell us what you like, and what titles/labels you’d like to see in our shop. Our only real “Don’t” is that you watch your drinks so nothing spills on the records!!

Quick Tips for Record Shopping?

Discogs app. Best way to monitor your collection and your want list.

Describe the shop in 3 words.

Welcoming, Fun and inspiring

The Record Store is a safe haven and second home for music fans: when did it become one for you?

As a teenager. One of my first jobs was at a record store called Strawberries located in Orange, CT. Even before that, I always loved records and cassettes. Would spend a lot of time at Bradlees, Caldors, and Kmart music section as a kid.

What’s the record that got away? (A record till this day you haven’t gotten or took a very long time to get)

Too many. I had the chance to purchase some titles back in the day that are worth thousands today. I was buying CD’s for a while and skipped a lot of vinyl titles. Having the record store now has helped fill in some gaps.

Any words for people who try to steal from record shops?

Don’t do it at Static Era!!!

You’re hosting a TedTalk on the importance of physical media: What are your opening and closing statements?

Opening:

In a world where intangible data dominates, where streaming services have become the norm, and where cloud storage reigns supreme, it is essential that we pause and reflect on the enduring value of physical media.

Closing:

Physical media represents more than just a collection of songs, movies, or books. It is a testament to our human desire for connection, ownership, and the preservation of culture.

If the shop was a record label/magazine which one would it be? [Creem Magazine, Rough Trade, Sub Pop, SPIN, etc]

Rip or Hit Parader, something from the hair metal era. Big. loud, colorful, etc.

With community being a major part of record stores, how do you feel you return the favor with the shop and give back to the loyal members?

We host listening parties, have a huge bulletin board that we encourage folks to hang up fliers for their shows / events or if they are looking to start a new band. We opened the shop as a community hub.

-Jay Reason

Record Stores. They all come in different shapes and crates. Down the street or an hour away. A safe haven for the music fans walking around your block. It doesn’t matter if they’ve been around since the 60s, 70s, and 80s or if they’re newly open, if you’re musically and culturally curious in any way, feel free to stop by one of your local shops. Whether you’re in Connecticut or New York or in the USA or Nigeria, support your local record shop in some way, if you care enough to. Buy a CD, a poster or try selling your siblings’ record collection as a prank only you will find funny; you know, support the cause. It may be cliche to say “Support Local Businesses, Hug the Trees, Save the Whales, Think of the Kids”, but it’s said because it’s important as shit. Going independent, you’re immediately wearing the damn “underdog” badge, so it takes the community to help show you don’t need to have major backing to be “major”. What they do is major within itself. As a geek who has had many dreams of working at a record store as a pre-teen and actual teen, have some of my fondest moments hanging in record stores, spent a lot of gas money going to record stores, and feel comfortable in every single one as if it’s my bedroom, all I can say is to every record store and store owner: Thank you. Whether you realize it or not (which you probably do), most people walking into your shop appreciate every single ounce of what you do. Shit if records stopped existing, I think I’d go insane. That would affect the natural order of human nature if that were to happen. but, not to digress from the positive conclusion. Final statement: they’re fun and I watch High Fidelity (the movie and the show) too much

Now, there are plenty of other record stores around CT. Here are some of the other shout-outs before

-The Archive (@thearchive)

-Merle’s Record Rack (@merlesrecordrck)

–Exile on Main Street

–Vinyl Street Cafe

–Gerosa Records (@gerosarecords)

-Elm City Sounds (@elmcitysounds)

–Replay Records